Play by play of Packers 24-20 win over the Lions

Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and tight end Jermichael Finley (88) celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers, without nearly one-quarter of their regular players, took on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field and despite many penalties, dropped passes and the inability to sustain drives, the Packers sneaked out of Detroit with a 24-20 win.

” We couldn’t get no rhythm … We didn’t get many plays on offense, had a poor third down conversion. Th line battled hard … the line fought really hard and when we had to have it in the fourth quarter they came through,” Aaron Rodgers said.

Randall Cobb, who caught one of two Aaron Rodgers touchdown passes, was the player of the game. It seemed his touches were, for the most part gold – with the exception of a couple of boneheaded plays on returns.

“Randall is a big time player for us and a big part of our offense. We try to get him in space … he made an incredible catch on his touchdown. Cobb is so smart and he understands progressions and timing and when he needs to get open.”

But consider that the defense also came to play without the likes of players like Woodson and Matthews. It was

Overall, the Packers offense was lethargic as it seemed  the Lions defense played over their heads during much of this game.

Throw in some big defensive plays and it was enough to give the Packers the slim, much-needed win.

” I thought the defense played extremely well. The situation defense and the ability to get off the field was very big for us today. The young guys like Dezman Moses and Casey Hayward played physical and tough,” Coach Mike McCarthy said after the game.

“Our defense kept us in it had to have drive at the end,” Aaron Rodgers said immediately following the game.

“This is the kind of win really good teams find a way to win. We just had to have it. We talked on the sidelines that if the defense holds we have to make the most of it. When the best was needed we were able to come through.”

If there was a theme for the first half of this game, it was the Packers inability to close the book on several situations as dropped passes, frequent penalties and beakdowns on offense and defense allow the Lions to sneak away with a 10-7 first half lead.

Nov 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden (93) tries to tackle Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Packers beat the Lions 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-US PRESSWIRE

The defense continued to make plays through the second half in some pressure situations and there wasn’t anyone more happy about that than Aaron Rodgers.

He also credited the character of this team:  “We have a mature team. Smart veterans on it who have won a lot of games like this in the past and understand what takes to win.”

So What does this all mean for Rodgers? “It means we’re 7-3 and gave our guys anther week to get healthy. Our defense has got to have a lot of confidence. To slow down that offense with that quarterback and make them one dimensional, that’s great. We’ve won five in a row and beat some good teams along the way. After tomorrow night we could be in the driver’s seat.”

Mason Crosby

Of course the (2) missed field goal(s) by Mason Crosby didn’t help his cause nor his confidence.

Crosby, who has been thrashed in the media, Twitter and Facebook, continued his inconsistency with the two misses today, but he did reconcile things at the end by hitting a 39-yarder to give the Packers a 4 point lead and the eventual margin for victory.

"“Mason’s gotta put the ball through the uprights. He didn’t hit it today. We won’t blink as far as commitment to him,” Coach Mike McCarthy said.“I have no reasons not to believe in him. I understand hes missing kicks. I have all the confidence Mason’s going to get that back because we need him.”"

Mason Crosby was upbeat and kept things in perspective:

"“There are a lot things that go into it. You gotta work through it. I’ve  never had to deal with something like this … gonna put my nose down and work on it … I made kick at the end and you just have to bounce back and move on.”"

However, his performance today lays big decisions at the feet of head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson. Do they stick with the Packers’ longtime kicker or has Crosby become too much of a liability to the team?

Regardless of what everyone thinks, the decision will come down to the Packers’ brass. But in the meantime, it’s time to celebrate this win and get ready to travel to New York to meet the Giants.

Some good notes to report:

• James Starks rushed 25 times for 74 yards and Randall Cobb carried twice for 29 yards

• Cobb had nine receptions for 74 yards, 1 touchdown; Finley caught 3 passes for 66 yards, 1 touchdown; and Jordy Nelson caught 3 for 45

• Johnson was targeted 11 times with just 5 receptions – he did have 143 yards and 1 TD, but 53 of them came on a single play and 20 more came on the final play of the game.

• The Packers turned the ball over once, while the Lions turned it over four times

• The Packers sacked Stafford five times, while the Lions sacked Rodgers three times.

• Rodgers had a passer rating of 106.4

Below, you will find a complete play by play of this game, with some photos and comments sprinkled in …

First half of play

Packers kick off

Touchback

Lions first possession

First and 10 from own 20, short pass on rollout to Brandon Pettigrew for 3

Second and 7, Pass over the middle defended by Casey Hayward well; knocked down

Third and 7, pass to Johnson dropped  hit by Hayward.

Fourth down punt to 39 yard line- 38 yard punt

Randall Cobb. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Packers first possession

First and 190 from the 39, Swing pass to Randall Cobb left side for 5

Second and 5, Straks run left – Cobb punshes tacklers and drags them for a first down

first and 10, Starks up the middle for 4 – hole closes quickly

Second and 6, Rodgers rolls right, passes to Nelson along left sideline, but he drops an easy pass

Third and 6 from Lions 46, flag on Packers 

Third and 10, middle screen to Green incomplete

Drop by Nelson and penalty kill drive

Fourth down punt by Masthay – downed by Jarrett Bush at the 1 yard line

Lions second possession

First and 10 from the 1, LeShoure rushes for 2; Morgan Burnett makes a great tackle

Second and 8, pass over the middle tightly covered by Davon House who makes a great play reaching in and knocking the ball out.

Third and 8, from the Lions 4; Pass over the middle to Sheffler falls incomplete. Stafford misses him

Fourth down punt – Fair catch by Cobb at the Lions 48. Packers rush punter hard and players cross right in front of him, there is some contact, but not enough to draw a flag.

James Starks. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Packers second posseession

First and 10, Cobb for 4,

Second and 6, Starks makes hard cut and gains 5

Third and 1 from 39, Starks hit in backfield, but uses stiffarm to bounce  to the outside and pick up 2 for the first down

First and 10, Rodgers slides to left and passes long to Cobb. However, flag negates pickup; Sitton called for holding

First and 20 from the Lions 48, Rodgers quick pass in flat to Cobb who takes it up the right sideline for 10

Second and 10 pass negated by Evan Dietrich-Smith called for holding

Second and 21 from Lions 48, Rodgers is gun, passes over the middle to Cobb for 4

Third and 16, Rodgers in gun, all kinds of time; pass to James Jones for 13

Brings up fourth down go for it – statement to K Mason Crosby?

Fourth and 4, Rodgers passes over the middle to Cobb, but misses the target

Packers give the ball over on downs

Penalties kill drive – second in a row

Calvin Johnson makes a 53-yard reception in the first quarter of today’s game. Raj Mehta-US PRESSWIRE

Lions third possession

Pass over the middle dropped by Johnson

Second and 10, Screen to LeShoure snufed out and blown up by A.J. Hawk – loss of 2

Third and 12, Stafford rolls right and throws long to Johnson for 53 yards

First and 10 from 18, Kevin Smith for 3; illegal hands to the face by Erik Walden

Lions at Packers 10, second and goal, Stafford six yard pass to Scheffler.

Third and goal, ball at 3, Stafford under center, Ryan Pickett blows up middle and forces Stafford to his right and into Morgan Burnett who makes the sack

Jason Hanson for 30 yard FG is GOOD

53-yard pass to Calvin Johnson is the big play on the drive

Lions 3 Packers 0

Lions

Packers

Lions kickoff – Cobb for 10 yard return

Packers tight end Jermichael Finley jumps into the end zone for a touchdown. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Packers fourth possession

First and 10 from Packers 18, pass t Jones drops ball – second of the game (Nelson and Jones)

Second and 10, Rodgers n gun inside handoff to James Starks off left tackle for 4

Third and 6, Rodgers throws a laser of 15 yards to a wide open Jordy Nelson for a first down

First and 10 from the 38, Ridgers under center hands off to Starks for 3

Second and 7 from 41, Rodgers under center walks away from center and calls a timeout; McCarthy is livid about womehting on the field, but not sure why.- maybe something with the play clock

Second and 7, Starks runs left and loses 2 as no blocking takes shape

Third and 7, Rodgers avoids the sack and while falling forward hits Donald Driver for the first down over the middle

First and 10, handoff to Starks over right tackle for 2,

Second and 8 from Lions 47, delayed handoff to Starks nets 5 yards

End of first quarter

Packers Third and 4, pass to Jordy Nelson who on right sideline. He breaks two tackles and runs out to the 23

First and 10, Cobb

TD pass to Jermichael Finley wide open over the middle for the touchdown

Extra point by Crosby

13:56 Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards in 5:28

Big play of the drive was the first down pass to Donald Driver that kept the drive going

Packers 7 Lions 3

Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) reaches for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. Raj Mehta-US PRESSWIRE

Packers Crosby kidoff – Logan return to the 26

Lions fourth possession

First and 10 from 26, handoff to Mikel Leshoure

Pass to Hiller for 17 yards; Hayward rushes, but Stafford eludes him

First and 10, Leshoure for 2

Second and 8, Erik Walden tracks down Stafford for a sack and minus 1 yard

Third and 9, Stafford in gun, pass to left sideline to Johnson for 21

First and 10, Ball at Packers 32, handoff to Bell for 4

Second and six; juggling catch for 3 by Pettigrew

Third and 3, pass to Johnson to the 11 for first down, Tramon Williams on the coverage

First and 10 from the 11, Stafford inside handoff up the middle for 10 and a first down

First and goal, Lesoure for the TD 

Big plays of the drive was the 21-yard reception by Johnson and the first down pass to Johnson down to the 11

Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards in 5:50

Lions 10 Packers 7

Packers punter Tim Masthay. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Lions Kickoff

Packers fifth possession

First and 10 from the 20, Rodgers in gun, passes to Starks on left side for 6 – dumpoff pass

Second and 4, pitch to Starks for 5 – nice blocking and nice running on Starks’ part

Fist and 10, delayed handoff to Starks for 8 – penalty on Detroit offsides accepted

Instead of second and 2, Packers opt for first and 5

First and 5, Rodgers under center hands off to Starks who hits head on in the hole and drags him for four

Second and 1, Starks hit by Durant for a loss of 2

Third and 3, from 37, Rodgers rushed out of the pocket right, passes incomplete to Cobb

Fourth down punt by Masthay, muffed by Logan, but he recovers it

Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) runs the ball after making an interception against the Detroit Lions. Raj Mehta-US PRESSWIRE

Lions fifth possession

First and 10 from the 28, Stafford passes behind Scheffler and it falls incomplete

Second and 10, end around to Mike Thomas for 6, Hayward with the impressive stick to upend Thomas

Third and 4, offside by Packers, Mike Neal – gives up first down

First and 10, Leshoure bounces off to the left for first down; Calvin Johnson holds, but doesn’t get called for it

First and 10 from Packers 46, Leshoure for 2

Second and 8, Stafford hit as he throws incomplete – Stafford comes up limping

Third and 8, Stafford throws incomplete but Brad Jones flagged for slap to the head

Lions first and 10 from Packers 29, Pass INTERCEPTED BY CASEY HAYWARD  – Hayward’s fifth of the year – Packers have 11 INT

Packers sixth possession

First and 10 from own 47, Starks for six off left side

Two minute warning 

Packers second and 2, Rodgers intercepted over the middle

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) gets the ball hit out of his hands by Green Bay Packers linebacker Dezman Moses in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Lions sixth possession

First and 10 from own 33, pass of 4 to Pettigrew – Hawk right on the tackle

Second and 6, Stafford runs for 6

First and 10 from Lions 43, Stafford throws incomplete

Second and 10, Stafford again throws to a spot, but no receiver within 10 yards

Third and 10, Stafford evades pressure , but Dezman Moses knocks the ball from Stafford

Packers recover

Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby first field goal attempt was no good against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Packers possession 

First and 10, Pass to Cobb over the middle for 7

Second and 3, Rodgers pass to Cobb for 10 and a first down

Timeout GB – second

Packers First and 10 from 24, Rodgers in gun, SACK and loss of 8 by Nick Fairly

Second and 18 – Packers let clock run down to 2 seconds

50 yard FG Attempt by Mason Crosby – CROSBY MISSES RIGHT, BUT TIMEOUT CALLED AND CROSBY GETS SECOND CHANCE

SECOND ATTEMPT BY CROSBY –  MISSED LEFT THIS TIME – CROSBY MISSES 6 OF LAST 11 ATTEMPTS

END OF FIRST HALF

LIONS 10 PACKERS 7

First half statistics presented by si.com

1st Quarter

Jason Hanson 30 yard field goal, 4:24 Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards in 3:08
Detroit 3-0

2nd Quarter

Jermichael Finley 20 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 13:56 Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards in 5:28
Green Bay 7-3

Mikel Leshoure 1 yard TD run (Jason Hanson extra point is GOOD), 8:06 Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards in 5:50
Detroit 10-7

Packers

Lions

Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) causing a fumble in the third quarter at Ford Field.Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Start of second half

Lions kickoff to Packers – Cobb to the 20, but penalty on Packers, illegal block in the back

First and 10 from Packers 5, Starks runs hard and hits people, but only picks up 2

Second and 8, Pass to Cobb who gets five yards on run for first down

First and 10, Rodgers under center, handoff to Starks for 1

Second and 9, pocket collapses and nowhere for Rodgers to go and he is sacked

Third and 13, Rodgers and sacked, fumbles, but Jeff Saturday jumps on it

Fourth down punt by Masthay from goal line to the 33

Packers free safety M.D. Jennings (43) intercepts a pass in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Lions first possession of the second half

First and 10 from the 33

First and 10 Leshoure picks his way for seven yards

Second and 3, Brad Jones breaks through and tackles Leshoure for no gain

Third and 3, Stafford beats strong blitz with 16 yard pass to Scheffler.

First and 10 at Packrs 44, Stafford pass to Johnson down right sideline overthrown

Second and 10, inside handoff to Leshoure for 5

Third and 5, Stafford in gun, penalty flags fly for false start on Lions

Third and 10 from Packers 44, offsetting penalties – offside on Walden and offensive pass interference on Titus Young

Third and 10, Pass to Johnson tipped and M.D. Jennings intercepts; Stafford called for low block on return Jennings takes it to the house 71 yards for a TOUCHDOWN PACKERS!

Seven returns for touchdowns against the Lions this year

Packers 14 Lions 10

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) dunks the football over the uprights after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Packers kick off to Logan who returns it to the 17

Lions Second Possession

First and 10, Leshoure for five

Second and 5, Stafford in gun, pass overthows everyone, but flag on Brad Jones grabbing facemask

eight Packers penalties at this point

First and 10, Pass to Boyles for 8

Second and 2, pass to Johnson falls incomplete

Third and 2, Stafford in gun, pass over the middle to Pettigrew for 12 and a first down

First and 10 at Packers 44, Leshoure hesitates, hits the hole and picks up five

Second and 5, Leshoure bounces it outside for a first down

First and 10at Packers 26, pass over the middle for Bell for 5, AJ Hawk on the stop

Second and 5, Stafford in gun, Stafford scrambles for a first down

First and 10 at Packers 15, Leshoure is hit in the backfield by Dezman Moses for a loss – but Detroit called for holding on Moses

First and 20, Stafford under center, has all kinds of time, scrambles right and throws the ball away at the end

Second and 20, Stafford in gun, passes over the middle to Johnson for TD – went right through Morgan Burnett’s hands

Calvin Johnson 25 yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson extra point is GOOD), 3:01 Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards in 5:30

Lions 17 Packers 14

James Jones.

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Lions kickoff – Cobb muffs a bounding kickoff , picks it up, then runs it out of the end zone to the 10 and fumbles – Packers recover

Packers second possession

First and 10 from their own 9 yard line, Starks runs hard off right tackle and picks up 7

Second and 3, Starks for 1

Third and 2, Rodgers under center, pitch to Cobb with blocking to the left and he picks up 15 and a first down

First and 10 from Packers 35, Rodgers under center, play action to Starks and Rodgers throws a laser over the middle to James Jones

First and 10 from Lions 45, Nick Fairly stuffs Kuhn for loss of 1

End of the third quarter

Packers open third quarter with a second and 11, Rodgers in Gun, Rodgers pulls it down and runs for 2

Third and 9, at Lions 44, pass to Cobh low and he’s tackled right away

Fourth and 5, Mason Crosby – Lions call timeout

CROSBY FROM 58 YARDS???? act like going to fake it with Tom Crabtree, but called for illegal motion

Now the Packers punt – Masthay to the 7 and fair catch called

Linebacker Erik Walden.

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Lions third possession

First and 10 from the 8, Stafford hands off to Leshoure for 3

Second and 7, Stafford is sacked by Davon House

Third and 10, Walden with the sack – Sack number 5 on Stafford today

Fourth down punt out of end zone – Fair catch by Cobb at Detroit 44

Packers third possession

First and 10 from the Lions 44,

Rodgers under center, pass to Nelson for 12 and a first down

First and 10 from Lions 32, Rodgers in gun, handoff to Starks for no gain

Second and 10, Rodgers throws toward Jordy Nelson, but flags thrown – Defensive holding automatic first down

First and 10 from Lions 28, Rodgers in gun, flags thrown, but Rodgers misses Cobb on crossing route – Lions lined up in neutral zone

First and 5, from Lions 23, Starks is bottled up and stopped at line of scrimmage

Second and 5, Rodgers in gun, handoff to Starks for 3

Third and 2, Rodgers in gun, pass to Jones incomplete

CROSBY FROM 38 YARD LINE – NO GOOD

LIONS 17 PACKERS 14

Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson (4) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Lions possession from own 28

First and 10, Leshoure for 4

Second and 6, Leshoure for 4

Third and 2, pass to Broyles and runs for 15 after the catch

First and 10 from Packers 36, Leshoure for 1

Second and 9, pass to a wide ope Titus Young down to the Packers 10

First and goal, Leshoure for 2

Second and goal, Brad Jones stuffs Leshoure for loss of 2

Timeout Packers – first

Third and goal from nine, pass incomplete

FG by Jason Hanson – 27 yards

Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown as Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) reacts during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

4:25 remaining in game

Lions kickoff – Cobb returns it to the 17

Packers possession

First and 10, draw to Starks for 11

First and 10, Rodgers throws incomplete to Nelson

Second and 10Rodgers in gun, pass to Finley, he breaks a couple of tackles and takes it for a gain of 4

Ball at Lions 28, pass to Finley for 6

Second and 4, Starks runs right for 3

Third and 1, pass to Cobb TD in right side of end zone

Crosby extra point

Randall Cobb 22 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers, 1:55 Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards in 2:30

Packers 21 Lions 20

Packers

Packers safety Jerron McMillian.

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Packers kickoff – Logan returns to Lions 25

Lions possession

First and 10, Stafford pass thrown into the dirt incomplete

Second and 10 – penalty for false start on Lions

Second and 15, pass to Titus Young hits ground incomplete

Third and 15, Hayward knocks it away

Fourth and 15, from gun, long pass to Scheffler knocked down by rookie Jerron McMilian

1:21 remaining

Packers take over on possession

First and 10, handoff to Starks for no gain

Lions timeout – second

1:13 remaining – Second and 10

Seond and 10, handoff to Starks

Lions Final timeout

Third and 10, pitch to Starks who loses 2

Mason Crosby has come under intense scrutiny, but his head coach is confident in his abilities. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

MASON CROSBY FG ATTEMPT WITH 24 SECONDS LEFT – … AND THE KICK IS GOOD

Crosby kicks off – squibber returned by Scheffler

Lions ball with 15 seconds remaining

Pass toward Scheffler nearly picked off by Davon House

Second and 10 with 9 seconds remaining, Stafford in gun, pass toward Pettigrew incomplete with McMillian on the coverage

Last play of the game – pass complete to Johnson who tries to lateral the ball, but it’s picked off by Jaron McMillian

Final statistics below courtesy of si.com

Packers

Packers

Lions

Lions

• Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Jason Hanson 30 yard field goal, 4:24 Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards in 3:08
Detroit 3-0

2nd Quarter

Jermichael Finley 20 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 13:56 Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards in 5:28
Green Bay 7-3

Mikel Leshoure 1 yard TD run (Jason Hanson extra point is GOOD), 8:06 Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards in 5:50
Detroit 10-7

3rd Quarter

M.D. Jennings 72 yard interception return for TD (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 8:31 Drive: 0 play, 0 yard in 0:00
Green Bay 14-10

Calvin Johnson 25 yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson extra point is GOOD), 3:01 Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards in 5:30
Detroit 17-14

4th Quarter

Jason Hanson 27 yard field goal, 4:25 Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards in 4:12
Detroit 20-14

Randall Cobb 22 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 1:55 Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards in 2:30
Green Bay 21-20

Mason Crosby 39 yard field goal, 0:19 Drive: 4 plays, -1 yard in 1:00
Green Bay 24-20

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